Environmental Issues

We track legislation, budgets, policies, events and other issues related to environmental issues at the state and federal levels with the aid of our Environmental Issues Working Group. Each week, this team of volunteers shares news stories, research and other information on a range of environmental topics, discusses which items are ripe for action, and writes calls to action (C2As) that inform others and offer suggested actions. Members volunteer about an hour a week–a little more if they are writing that week’s call to action–and conduct their business via a closed Facebook page. Our C2As are distributed to 15,000-20,000 Mainers each week via our email list, our member forum and our partnerships with other regional and state groups. You can read some of our most recent environmental C2As below.

If the environment is important to you and you have an hour or two to spare over an entire week, please email us at suitupmaine@gmail.com about joining our Environmental Issues Working Group!

The Trump administration wants to open most of the U.S. coastline to oil and gas exploration, including Maine.QUICK ACTION UPDATE: Attend a public hearing in Augusta on March 7 and submit a public comment before the March 9 deadline.

Trump has nominated a coal industry lobbyist and notorious climate legislation killer to the second most powerful position at the Environmental Protection Agency. His Senate confirmation vote is imminent.QUICK ACTION: Call and email Senators Collins and King and tell them to OPPOSE the nomination of Andrew Wheeler.

Trump’s nominee to be the nation’s top environmental watchdog calls carbon dioxide a “plant nutrient” and says climate change poses no threat to the environment.QUICK ACTION: Tell Senators Collins and King to OPPOSE Kathleen Hartnett White’s nomination to lead the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality. UPDATE: The White House has WITHDRAWN White’s nomination in the face of fierce opposition by senators, constituents, and environmental advocates.

Update 12/14: Facing opposition from a few Senate Republicans (including Collins), Dourson has WITHDRAWN HIS NOMINATION! The Trump administration’s controversial nominee to head the EPA’s chemical safety office is a chemical industry insider with a track record of favoring corporate interests over health safety and the environment. His nomination could come for a vote in the Senate soon.QUICK ACTION: Call and email senators Susan Collins (202) 224-2523 and Angus King (202) 224-5344 ask them to oppose Michael Dourson for assistant EPA administrator.

The Trump Administration is taking steps to repeal the Clean Power Plan, a blueprint for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and stemming the speed of climate change. Voice your opposition to the stripping of environmental and health protections by submitting a public comment on the EPA’s plan by Dec. 15.

Some of Maine’s waterways are at risk by the Trump administration’s plans to gut the Clean Water Rule. File a public comment to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the repeal of the Clean Water Rule by Aug. 28.

The Trump Administration has taken the first step toward weakening fuel efficiency standards designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, which have been linked to climate change. Submit a public comment to the EPA by October 5 in support of existing clean car standards.

Many of Maine’s utility companies offer residential and business electricity customers the option to switch some or all of their electricity to a green power source. Choose the option that best suits your home, business or nonprofit, to maximize demand of clean, renewable energy, while reducing your carbon footprint.

The Maine Legislature will vote Thursday, July 20, to override Gov. LePage’s veto of the popular and bipartisan solar bill LD 1504. Thank legislators who voted in support of the bill and ask them to hold strong, and urge those who voted against LD 1504 to support it now.

Suit Up Maine is an all-volunteer grassroots group of Mainers who work to raise awareness of and advocate for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. We are beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians, and we aren’t engaged in fundraising. Suit Up Maine fosters collaboration among our state’s progressive groups and organizations to collectively connect, educate, and motivate Mainers to rise in non-violent resistance to a regressive agenda.